Incredible Ireland

Incredible Ireland

14 Days

Explore the contrasting cities of Dublin, Cork & Galway and the rugged beauty of the Wild Atlantic Way on this fourteen-day tailor-made tour of the Emerald Isle. Your chauffeur-guide will ensure you are taken off the beaten track delving into the essence of Irish life. With expert and insightful local knowledge, discover the country’s rich history and cultural heritage first hand. Impeccable and luxurious accommodation combined with exclusive visits ensure that you will depart having experienced true Irish hospitality, from high culture to traditional pub fare.

HIGHLIGHTS

On arrival at Dublin Airport, be met by your experienced local chauffeur-guide who will provide a safe and comfortable journey to your accommodation. Your accommodation for four nights is a renowned hotel which overlooks St Stephen’s Green, possibly Europe’s grandest square.

Day Two: Dublin Highlights

The day commences with a private, chauffeur-driven orientation tour, providing a great overview of the vibrant city. Highlights to be seen include: O’Connell Street, St Patrick’s Cathedral, the 18th Century Georgian architecture, St Stephen’s Green Park and Grafton Street.

Day Three: The Boyne Valley

Take a giant step back in time and visit one of the country’s must-sees; the Brú na Bóinne or the Boyne Valley, north of Dublin in Co. Meath – a landscape riddled with passage tombs, sacred hills, monastic ruins and bloody battlefields. Some sites predate Egypt’s pyramids, giving it the moniker, the Irish Valley of the Kings. In recognition of its universal value, the area was inscribed as a World Heritage Site in 1993.

Day Four: Dublin at Leisure & Riverdance

Spend the day at leisure and discover the city on your own. In the evening you will enjoy an exclusive VIP perfor- mance of Riverdance – an extraordinary show which fuses Irish and International music and dance. As a VIP you will enjoy early access to theatre to watch on-stage routines, private use of the Riverdance VIP lounge and a special visit backstage after the show to meet the principal dancers.

Day Five: Dublin to Co Cork

Depart Dublin and begin the journey south to Cork. En route, visit the Kildare National Stud and the spectacular Rock of Cashel. Upon arrival in Co Cork, check in to your accommodation for two nights, an intimate family-owned Geor- gian mansion which dates back to around 1720. The property is set in 500 acres of wooded estate that have been considerately developed over the years. On-site activities include salmon and brown trout fishing, dawn chorus walks, autumnal mushroom hunts, a walled kitchen garden, working farm, brandy distillery and cider house.

Day Six: Cork

Enjoy the day in Cork, Ireland’s second largest and southernmost city with a history dating back to the 6th Century. Highlights include a tour of Saint Fin Barre’s Cathedral, climbing the tower and ringing the bells of of St Anne’s Shandon and a visit to the historic English Market.

Day Seven: Cork to Killarney

This morning travel west to Killarney. As a local author once wrote, “a day out of Kerry is a day wasted”. Killarney is very much at the heart of Kerry and is without a doubt one of the country’s top tourist destinations. Old-world elegance meets modern day luxury is your accommodation for the next two nights. It is perfectly positioned in peaceful private grounds framed by the Killarney National Park.

Day Eight: Killarney Crafts on the Ring of Kerry

This morning travel west to Killarney. As a local author once wrote, “a day out of Kerry is a day wasted”. Killarney is very much at the heart of Kerry and is without a doubt one of the country’s top tourist destinations. Old-world elegance meets modern day luxury is your accommodation for the next two nights. It is perfectly positioned in peaceful private grounds framed by the Killarney National Park.

Day Nine: Castle Stay

Depart Killarney and travel north to Adare, known as one of the prettiest and friendliest villages in all of Ireland –a picture perfect place to spend the morning. Continue onwards with a visit to Bunratty Folk Park, before checking into your accommodation. Tonight you will be staying in a spectacular castle which was originally the ancestral home of one of the few families of Gaelic royalty. Its extraordinary history dates back to the 5th century.

Day Ten: Secret Ireland

Experience a true taste of Ireland in terms of culture, art, history, food, drink and hospitality as you discover hidden Ireland at its best: untouched, undiscovered and truly authentic. Accompanied by a local ‘Secret Ireland’ host, your bespoke experience starts with an exclusive scenic river cruise. Disembark on a ‘secret’ island and be king & queen of your own private castle.

Later, travel to an 18th century Manor House and meet the lady of the Manor, a wonderful character. Sample a wide range of local artisan cheese tastings paired with homemade spiced chutney and an organic apple syrup. Though a hidden door lies a private Shibeen. Originally, these were illicit bars where excisable alcoholic beverages were sold, without a license. Lit only by candlelight, enjoy a tutored whiskey masterclass with some delicious limited edition tastings.

Day Eleven: Co. Connemara & Aran Islands

Experience the sounds, sights and tastes of Connemara and the Aran Islands as your private guide takes you through one of the most natural regions of Ireland on a culinary trail. Taking the Wild Atlantic Way out of Galway, visit some of the best producers, brewers, farmers in the region. Enjoy a short 8-minute flight over to Inis Mór, the largest of the islands although still only 13km long and 3km wide. This is most definitely a taste of Connemara and Aran that will stay with you forever!

Day Twelve: Irish Whiskey Distilleries

Your first visit of the day is to Ireland’s oldest distillery, which dates back to 1757 and no visitwould be complete without a taste of the amber nectar – enjoy tastes of three different Irish whiskies produced in the distillery.

Afterwards, travel to the state-of-the-art Tullamore D.E.W. Distillery in Tullamore, Co. Offaly, where an expert will lead a tutored tasting of six of the distillery’s finest whiskeys, allowing you to explore the depth of character in each. Your visit concludes with exclusive access to the Williams’ Whiskey Gallery, where you can use your new-found knowledge of the craft.

Day Thirteen: Regency Splendour at Leisure

Spend your final day in Ireland at leisure at your accommodation estate. The estate’s stone walls enclose 614 acres of parkland, a lake and ancient woods, delightful garden buildings, follies and grottoes. Highlights include the medieval-style tower (built as a folly in the 1860s), the walled garden with its formal borders and kitchen gardens. Other features not to be missed are the abundant wildlife to be seen on early morning walks and the restored Edwardian rock garden.

On your final evening, enjoy an exquisite dining experience. All of the property’s produce is locally sourced: the gardens provide fruit, herbs, salads and vegetables throughout the year while hens and honeybees are kept on-site to provide fresh eggs and honey.

Day Fourteen: Homeward Bound

Your chauffeur-guide will provide a safe and comfortable journey to Dublin Airport where you will board your outbound flight.

HIGHLIGHTS

A visual glimpse of the key things to do and places that will be visited on this exciting itinerary

THINGS TO DO

DUBLIN DOORS

The wide boulevard of O’Connell Street, passing the General Post Office, scene of the 1916 Easter Rising and birthplace of the Irish Nation.

BUNRATTY FOLK PARK

an excellent living reconstruction of the homes and environment of Ireland in the 19th century. Homes range from the poorest one-roomed dwelling to Bunratty House, built in 1804 and a fine example of a Georgian residence for the gentry.

THE ENGLISH MARKET

has been serving the people of Cork for more than a century. A myriad of artisan and speciality producers have helped develop Cork County into Ireland’s flagship food region. It has a gourmet reputation among the finest in Europe.

IRISH NATIONAL STUD

is the beating heart of Ireland’s thoroughbred industry. HM, Queen Elizabeth II took a tour here as recently as 2011. Her fascination is understandable, as the farm and its stock were gifted to the Crown in 1917.

ROCK OF CASHEL

Visible for miles is St Patrick’s Rock, also known as Cashel of the Kings. It was the traditional seat of the kings of Munster for several hundred years before the Norman invasion.

TULLMORE D.E.W DISTILLERY

This distillery produces the original triple distilled, triple blend whiskey that is famed across the globe for its smoothness and complexity. An expert will lead a tutored tasting of six of the distillery’s finest whiskeys, allowing you to explore the depth of character in each.

PLACES VISITED

DUBLIN

Dublin is steeped in history, with Viking, medieval and Georgian influences all having left their marks. Since the time of the Vikings, Dublin has been the principal gateway to the Emerald Isle. The medieval city, with its intimate knots of small alleys and broad streets south of the river, was developed in Norman times around St Patrick’s Cathedral and Dublin Castle, and later came to symbolise British rule in Ireland. The 18th century was the “Age of Elegance”, a time of relative prosperity when the Irish gentry set about remodelling the city into one of elegance, replete with graceful terraces, wrought-iron balconies and fanlight doorways. The city became Ireland’s capital with the establishment of the Republic of Ireland in 1937, and today is regarded as one of the liveliest and most atmospheric in Europe.

THE BOYNE VALLEY

In the “early years”, during the Stone Age, the fertile lands, bathed by the River Boyne meant that the area became rich for settlement, in fact becoming the largest centre of habitation in the country. Much evidence survives from these early years and the area’s pièce de résistance are these passage tombs or graves: Newgrange; here, the tomb passage is perfectly aligned to mark the Winter Solstice – at dawn on the 21st December, a beam of sunlight shines through the 60ft passage, hitting the recess in the burial chamber. By some it is regarded as one of the greatest wonders of the ancient world Knowth – lays claim to having the greatest concentration of Megalithic art in Europe.

CORK

Cork is Ireland’s second largest and southernmost city with a history dating back to the 6th century; Founded on islands in an estuary, waterways circle the city centre crossed by over 20 bridges. Hilly neighbourhoods climb the river banks, stacked with colourful houses. These along with the Georgian architecture give the city a Continental feel. It is a creative and exciting city, renowned for learning, with a world class university and specialist colleges. It has a rich musical traditional and is home to no less than 24 festivals running throughout the year.

KILLARNEY

Located by the three lakes and mountains of the Killarney National Park, Killarney is well known for its excellent shops, restaurants and cosmopolitan appeal. During the summer months, the lively on-street musical entertainment complements the meandering of tourists and locals alike. On bright evenings, one can browse in a bookstore, admire art or savour the delights of homemade ice cream or a finely prepared lobster.

ADARE

This heritage town is home to thatched roof cottages, Tudor style houses, beautiful gardens and ivy clad medieval churches that flank the river banks, making it the picture perfect place to spend the morning.

Accommodation

From private stately castles, historic manor houses and country club resorts to luxury city hotels and Georgian townhouses, Dream Escape will find you the perfect place to call “home’ during your stay.

Accommodation

From private stately castles, historic manor houses and country club resorts to luxury city hotels and Georgian townhouses, Dream Escape will find you the perfect place to call “home’ during your stay.

Accommodation

From private stately castles, historic manor houses and country club resorts to luxury city hotels and Georgian townhouses, Dream Escape will find you the perfect place to call “home’ during your stay.

Accommodation

From private stately castles, historic manor houses and country club resorts to luxury city hotels and Georgian townhouses, Dream Escape will find you the perfect place to call “home’ during your stay.

Accommodation

From private stately castles, historic manor houses and country club resorts to luxury city hotels and Georgian townhouses, Dream Escape will find you the perfect place to call “home’ during your stay.

"I had the most wonderful time with you and learned so much...What you offer is rare and much needed in the truly exclusive travel world.
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Jean Newman-Glock Signature Travel Network

"You were the heart and soul of the trip….I truly admired your sunny personality, sense of humor, organization and professionalism. You also demonstrated that a guide’s work is never done as you were constantly researching….. Did you ever rest???
"

Sharon Delano Frosch

"We want to thank you and the team from Dream Escape. All six of us in our group had a wonderful time, and we all agreed we owed that in large measure to the work of Dream Escape. From the onset of working with you, you demonstrated a tremendous knowledge about all the activities we wished to pursue —from playing golf to dining at excellent restaurants to seeing historical sites and the Tattoo and Fringe Festival. And, then you executed
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Thomas Cohen, Client

"THANK YOU a zillion times over for choosing/assigning Rosie to be with this family. She MADE the trip for them – there’s no other way to put it!
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Jill Jergel, Frontiers International Travel

"Our holiday in Scotland now tops their lists of best trips…… To their growing list of amazing and memorable first-time experiences, our sons may add fishing for trout and salmon on the River Tay; steering a motor boat on Loch Ness; and taking private guided tours on Culloden Moor Of the eight full days we were in Scotland, Alex and Mattie thought each and every day was the best"

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